Petőcz Kálmán (szerk.): National Populism and Slovak - Hungarian Relations in Slovakia 2006-2009 (Somorja, 2009)
László Öllös: Time for Hungarian-Slovak Dialogue (Conclusion)
Time for Hungarian-Slovak Dialogue government, it is not likely to bring about national reconciliation because only tactical solutions available are those that in the given moment suit political interests of all those involved.10 This kind of political situation usually produces arguments in favour of pursuing a ‘more cunning’ minority policy or furthering minority interests in a ‘more cunning’ way. Neither of the two approaches is likely to change the essence of mutual relations between the majority and the minority. Still, it would be a grave mistake to underestimate the potential influence of ethnic Hungarians’ successful government participation on the overall system of values. Even though government participation is unable to change fundamental principles of minority policy by itself, it may substantially reduce negative feelings of the general public with respect to ethnic Hungarians. Successful members of the cabinet are free to develop important power positions and win recognition of the population group whose problems they are supposed to deal with. Government participation offers ethnic Hungarian politicians communication possibilities they could not hope for in the opposition, especially as members of the party that is widely viewed as an organization of the national enemy and therefore remains isolated even within the opposition. New communication channels provide ethnic Hungarian leaders with an opportunity to inform about problems of ethnic Hungarians the general public did not know about or its knowledge has been filtered by the national state. Effective communication could make the general public accept the situation in which ethnic Hungarians participate in tackling not only their specific problems but national problems as well. Yet, this acceptance does not imply perception of government participation as something ethnic Hungarians would be automatically entitled to. In a word, government participation of ethnic Hungarians may constitute an important step toward national reconciliation as long as this administration is perceived positively; however, it fails to generate long-term solutions to most national problems of ethnic Hungarians unless there is an overall change in the nation’s image. Government participation itself is unable to change the image of ethnic Hungarians in the eyes of the majority. That is why aggressive anti-Hungarian sentiments become part of official government policies as soon as ethnic Hungarians are ousted from government. So far, government ambitions of ethnic Hungarian political parties in Slovakia lacked a well-conceived plan to change the way the majority perceives ethnic Hungarians. While individual political leaders did show some effort, their isolated attempts never grew into joint, deliberate endeavour. Discussions on this issue were usually triggered by specific legislative initiatives or executive measures concerning ethnic Hungarians, i.e. when they 257
